Fergie's Tech Blog

Australia Approves Jail Cellphone Jamming Trials

James Riley writes on Australian IT:

Under pressure from the NSW government, federal regulators have agreed to trials of a mobile phone 'jamming' system to stamp out use of contraband handsets inside jails.

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) yesterday approved limited laboratory tests of a new "low-impact technology" that might be useful in blocking phone signals inside institutions.

But NSW Premier Morris Iemma wants regulators to allow testing to be extended outside of the laboratories to include field trials at Lithgow and Goulburn jails.

Communications Minister Helen Coonan has previously opposed jammers because they interfered with legitimate phone signals outside the facilities, including with emergency services' communications systems.

posted by Fergie @ 5/12/2006 10:33:00 AM